Raglan Road’s Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival: Disney Springs, March 14-17. Get ready to jump on the St. Paddy’s party wagon at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17. Because (obviously) this quintessential Irish holiday is too much fun to limit to one day, the annual Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Florida’s most authentic Irish pub serves up a long weekend of live Irish music, dance, modern Irish eats, drinks, and more.
That’s four full days to celebrate St. Paddy’s with notable Irish bands flown in for the event, including headliners Screaming Orphans—the chart-topping all-sister band from Donegal- and Clada—a popular traditional Irish folk band from Galway.
The Mighty Festival will take its live Irish music and dance to the Disney Springs street outside Raglan Road with five outside bars, new St. Paddy’s merchandise, Celtic face painting, gift competitions, and plenty of giveaways. This year’s round-the-clock musical performances on three stages will invite guests to join in the toe-tapping, hand-clapping revelry. Don’t miss:
- Screaming Orphans –Known worldwide for their award-winning sound melding pop songs with trad Irish music, these sisters’ trademark four-part harmony amps up the incomparable vibe.
- Clada – Four trad Irish musicians from Galway play fresh, funky tunes.
- Men of Aran and Friends —Legends of the Irish trad world, the Men have toured, performed, and recorded with many Irish music luminaries.
- Clann Uí Huiginn (Higgins Clan) – This multi-instrumentalist family from Downpatrick ramps up the fun with energetic reels, jigs, smooth ballads, and foot-stomping marches.
- Briste – An inspiring all-female trio blending their uniquely rich musical backgrounds for a fresh, exciting sound.
- The Road West – Hailing from Kerry, Mayo, and Cork, this talented trio delivers a dazzling mix of traditional and contemporary Irish music.
- Northern Crossing – An Exciting three-piece traditional Irish music ensemble from Glasgow, Downpatrick, and Belfast.
- The Raglan Road Irish Dancers, a talented troupe from the world’s greatest Irish dance shows, wow audiences with their jigs, reels, and improbably high kicks.
Check out the performers’ information below!
“Where else would you find this extraordinary Irish talent? Nowhere but in Ireland or at Raglan Road!” says pub General Manager Rachael Conroy, who grew up in Tullamore, Ireland, and recalls many a family St. Patrick’s Day gathering. “Everyone in the family is welcome to join in our St. Paddy’s Day fun, so come celebrate our favorite Irish holiday!”
Revelers can enjoy Raglan Road’s Signature brew or whiskey flight, hand-crafted cocktails, and new bites with Irish roots like bacon and cabbage mac ‘n cheese bites and a vegan “Hottie Pie,” plus popular favorites like shepherd’s pie, lamb stew, and fish & chips. Those authentic fish & chips also are available to go at the pub’s adjacent Cooke’s of Dublin counter-service eatery next to the restaurant’s Hole in the Wall bar. Raglan Road will also serve its Rollicking Weekend Brunch Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16. On St. Paddy’s Day, the kitchen will offer two brunch items along with the All-Day menu.
At Raglan Road’s Shop for Ireland boutique, St. Paddy’s accessories are hot, and guests will find an array of authentic Irish clothing and gifts, including Celtic jewelry, apparel, hats, home goods, baby clothing, and toys. The shop is one of few in the world licensed to sell direct Guinness merchandise, including a travel mug shaped like a pint of Guinness.
Reservations are encouraged for guests who plan to celebrate at Raglan Road on March 14, 15, or 16. On St. Patrick’s Day only, March 17, Raglan Road will open at 10 a.m. with a $20 cover charge for guests 18 and older; (first-come, first-served—no reservations on this day only); younger patrons may enter free of charge.
“Come join us this year for The Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival,” Conroy says. “We’ll be sure to welcome you to a lively good time!”
Raglan Road is owned and operated by Irish partners John Cooke and Paul Nolan, whose Great Irish Pubs Florida, Inc., previously created Nine Fine Irishmen at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Raglan Road features traditional Irish dishes and new creations with a Celtic twist. The restaurant’s warm interior of aged walnut and mahogany woods from old Irish bars and churches was built in Ireland and shipped to Orlando. Live entertainment nightly and during weekend brunch features Irish house bands and the Raglan Road Irish Dancers.
The pub’s menu is served from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Weekend Rollicking Raglan Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is at Disney Springs in the Walt Disney World Resort, 1640 E. Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Visit www.raglanroad.com or call 407/938-0300.
Raglan Road’s Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival: Disney Springs, March 14-17
SCREAMING ORPHANS – Screaming Orphans is a chart-topping all-sister band from Donegal. They are known worldwide for their award-winning sound, combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony and mastery of their instruments, combined with their highly energized performances, take audiences of all ages on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey. www.screamingorphans.com
MEN OF ARAN AND FRIENDS – Colin Farrell (fiddle & whistles) and Dave Curley (banjo & vocals) have toured, performed, and recorded with numerous traditional Irish music luminaries. They are gifted entertainers and masters of their craft, charming Raglan Road audiences with a potent mix of sublime musicianship, electric energy, and a tremendous live performance. Men of Aran will be joined by fellow musicians Mark Weldon (bass), Kieran Leonard (drums), Will McMorran (pipes) & Randy Holbrook (guitar) for a special Mighty Festival performance.
CLADA – is a traditional Irish folk band from Co. Galway and comprises of four Irish musicians, each bringing a unique perspective from their musical backgrounds. Orla Leavy takes the reins on fiddle with her virtuosity in Irish traditional music, Sam Carey with his hot hand keeping the ante up with his tight rhythms, Liam Tierney always steals the show with his eccentric box playing and sporadic showmanship, and Eoin Salmon who lays down the low end on bass keeping the songs and tunes sounding funky and fresh.
CLANN UÍ HUIGINN – Clann Uí hUiginn (Higgins Clan) is an Irish Traditional Music group from Downpatrick, Co. Down. The family four-piece are multi-instrumentalists and delight audiences with their popular blend of energetic jigs, reels, smooth ballads, and foot-stomping marches. Members are Down Fleadh, Ulster Fleadh champions, and All-Ireland Finalists. Their performance and playing style will have your toes tapping, hands clapping, and hearts singing! www.facebook.com/HigginsClannMusic
BRISTE – This inspiring all-female trio includes Alison Crossey (bodhran, guitar), Emma Robinson (flute, whistle) & Joanna Boyle (banjo, vocals). They grew up immersed in traditional Irish music, winning numerous awards at County, Ulster, and All Ireland competitions. Blending their rich musical backgrounds, Briste have travelled all over the world bringing their new fresh and exciting sound to many festivals and venues. www.bristemusic.com
THE ROAD WEST – Hailing from Kerry, Mayo, and Cork, Máirtín Ó Cathasaigh (vocals, guitar, flute & whistles), Patrick Cafferkey (uileann pipes, guitar, vocals and whistles), and TJ Willis (banjo, mandolin, bouzouki and vocals ) bring together a perfect blend of natural musicianship, beautiful tune playing, and dazzling virtuosity. With a passion for performance, they deliver vibrant, high-energy shows that captivate their audiences. Their repertoire spans a mix of traditional Irish ballads and contemporary Irish songs, ensuring an unforgettable musical experience.
NORTHERN CROSSING – A fresh and exciting three-piece traditional Irish music ensemble from Glasgow, Downpatrick, and Belfast featuring Hannah McNeill (fiddle, vocals, banjo & mandolin), Aoife Byrne (fiddle & Vocals), and Niall McIlroy (guitar, whistles, flute & vocals). All are highly accomplished musicians with a wealth of musical talent and experience, making for a vibrant and exciting live show of music and song. www.instagram.com/northerncrossingtrio/
